[TriLUG] DRMed coffee maker?

[Igor Partola via TriLUG]

John, that's my point, this is a clear case where patents, not copyright
should be used. They found a way to use DMCA to protect their IP here, yet
it's a really stupid way to do it, making it more difficult for them,
inconvenient to the consumer, and very confusing for who is doing what
wrong.

With patents, they could protect their IP and control who can manufacture
the K-cups.

With copyright, they have to add DRM, and then it's not clear if adding a
piece of black tape is a violation, or telling someone how to add it, or
selling the black tape, or giving it away for free, or manufacturing your
own K-Cups even though you don't do anything to circumvent the DRM. Or even
better, do the manufacturers of the reusable K-Cups violate any law if they
don't teach you how to circumvent the DRM?

Basically, Keurig is digging their own grave with this. Instead of making
better coffee machines that brew better coffee, they are trying to lock
people into buying refills only from them. They already are seeing
competition from Starbucks and the like who have their own single-serve
coffee machines now.

Igor